PHARMACEUTICAL AIDS AND NECESSITIES Uses: antiseptic because it is a weak bacteriostatic

agent; in 2% which concentration as eyewash and

Important to: preparation, preservation, storage of
as buffer in ophthalmic solutions
pharmaceuticals
 The toxicity of boric acid makes it unfit to
Classification:
the taken orally
 Acids and bases
2. Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
 Buffers
 Antioxidants Synonym: chlorhydric acid, spirit of sea salt,
 Water muriatic acid
 Glass Use: a pharmaceutical aid as an acidifying agent
 No therapeutic value
 For making dosage forms 3. Diluted Hydrochloric Acid

ACIDS, BASES AND BUFFERS - Exists in the normal gastric juice aiding in
the conversion of pepsinogen into pepsin
- Bronsted-Lowry theory is the acid base and of proteins into peptones and serving
theory we use in the pharmacy because as a gastric antiseptic. It is also used in the
physiologic functions and pharmaceuticals management id gastric achlorydria, the
are often times dispensed as an aqueous absence of HCl in the stomach; and
solution hypochlorhydria, the deficiency of HCl
- General chemical expression: production of the stomach
HA + B = A + HB +¿¿
−¿¿

Acid + base = conjugate base + conjugate 4. Nitric Acid (HNO3)

acid Synonym: spirit of nitre, aquafortis, aqua fuerte
Electrolytes Properties: nitric acid will produce a yellow stain on
- Strong acids and bases are strong animal tissue due to the nitration of the aromatic
electrolytes amino acid, phenylamine, tyrosine and tryptophan
- Weak acids and bases are weak electrolyte found in the proteins of skin. This reaction is known
as xanthoproteic test. It oxidizes common metals
Relation: except gold and platinum to produce the nitrate salt
- The stronger the acid, the weaker its of the metal.
conjugate base, and vice versa Uses: the manufacture of sulfuric acid, coal tar
- The stronger the base, the weaker its dyes and explosives; a nitrating agent in pyroxylin
conjugate acid and vice versa. USP XVIII; a source of nitrate ion in the preparation
OFFICIAL INORGANIC ACIDS of milk of bismuth; externally, the elimination of
chances and warts
1. Boric Acid (H3BO3)
5. Phosphoric Acid (H3PO4)
Synonym: boracid acid, hydrogen borate,
orthoboric acid Synonym: orthophosphoric acid, acido
orthofosforico
Occurences: found in seawaters, certain plants, in
nearly all fruits and in some volcanic stem jets. The Use: acidifying agent
nativ boric acid is called sassolite 6. Diluted Phosphoric Acid
Properties: available in three crystalline forms: Uses: a tonic and stimulant to the gastric mucous
a. Colorless, odorless, pearly scales membranes; a synergistic substance to pepsin and
b. Six-sided triclinic crystals acids to the formulation of peptones
c. White, odorless powder with a soapy feel 7. Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Synonym: oil of vitriol, vitriolic acid, aceite de Preparation:
vitriole
- Manufactured from lime or Calcium Oxide
Preparation: there are two ways to prepare sulfuric by slaking process
acid: contact pr catalytic process and the Lead - Medicinally used as fluid electrolyte and
chamber process. Blth have the same principle, topical astringent
that is the oxidation of the sulfur dioxide to sulfur - Utilized for its high hydroxide ion
trioxide by adding enough water to form sulfuric concentration in pharmaceutical
acid. In the catalytic process, vanadium and preparations
platinized silica gels are catalyst. - Its alkalinity reacts with free fatty acids in
various oils to form calcium soaps which
Use: dehydrating agent in the preparation of
have emulsifying properties
pyroxylin USP XX
- Due to its ability to absorb CO2 from
8. Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) expired air, it is combined with NaOH or
KOH in a mixture known as soda lime
Synonym: glacial acetic acid
4. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) USP38/NF33
Use: irrigation solution with some bacteriostatic
properties other names: caustic potash, potassa

OFFICIAL INORGANIC BASES Properties:

1. Strong ammonia solution (NH4OH) - Deliquescent

USP38/NF33 - Very strong base with caustic/ corrosive
effect on tissues (handle carefully)
Other names: ammonium hydroxide, stronger
ammonia water Uses:

Precaution: - As a caustic in veterinary practice

- As a saponifying agent to hydrolyze esters
- Use care in handling (caustic nature and of fatty acids into their constituent alcohols
irritating properties of its vapor) and potassium
- Cools the container well before opening
- Cover the closure with cloth while opening 5. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) USP38/NF33
 Bronsted base
Other names: caustic soda, soda lye
 Manufacture of nitric acid and sodium
bicarbonate Properties:
 Preparation of aromatic spirit
- It attacks soft glass (containers should be
 Preparation of ammoniacal silver nitrate
made of hard glass with rubber stoppers)
solution
- Glass-stoppered bottles can be used if a
Tollen’s reagent is an alkaline solution of ammonia little petroleum or paraffin is spread around
cal silver nitrate and is used to test for aldehyde the stopper
- Not borosilicate, a soft glass has high
2. Diluted ammonia solution (NH4OH)
coefficients of thermal expansion; thus it
USP38/NF33
does not require a high temperature to
- Prepared from strong ammonia solution make them soft
- Known as ammonia water or household
Use: same as potassium hydroxide but has
ammonia
more advantage since it is less deliquescent,
- Employed as circulatory stimulant
milder, and cheaper
through inhalation of vapors
6. Sodium bicarbonate (Na2CO3.H2O) USP
Uses: when used externally, it is counter-irritant
38/NF33
3. Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 USP38/NF33
other names: monohydrated sodium carbonate
Other names: slaked lime, calcium hydrate
use: in pharmaceutical preparations, its basicity - Hence, each component of the buffer pair
forms sodium salts of acidic drugs will react with either acid or base to form the
other component
7. Soda lime
If base (OH) is added, it will react with the acid to
Uses: a mixture of Ca(OH)2 and NaOH or KOH or
neutralize the base, forming acetate ion and water
both intended for metabolism tests, anesthesia, and
O2 therapy The selected buffer should not:
8. Potassium bicarbonate USP38/NF33  Participate in oxidation-reduction reaction
 Alter the solubility of other components
Other names: potassium hydrogen carbonate,
potassium acid carbonate  Form complexed with active ingredients

Use: buffering agent for pharmaceutical Consider the following when choosing a buffer:
preparations a. Volatile species should not be used as
9. Sodium bicarbonate USP38/NF33 buffers
b. It should not have any influence on the
Other name: sodium hydrogen carbonate pharmacological activity of the API
c. The use of the pharmaceutical should be
Use: preferred in preparation of effervescent
considered in choosing a buffer for a
mixtures containing sodium bicarbonate and
product. If it is t be ingested, buffers
organic acids such as tartaric or citric. These
containing borates should not be used as
additives react to liberate CO2 that acts as a
they are toxic systemically
disintegrator producing effervescence when in
water TWO INORGANIC BUFFER SYSTEMS
BUFFERS A. Phosphate Buffer System
A buffer is a solution of a weak acid and its Advantage: it contains dihydrogen and
salt or the salt of its conjugate base or a weak base monohydrogen phosphate ions which are found
and its salt or the salt of its conjugate acid that normally in the body
resists drastic changes in pH when small amounts
of acid or base are added to it. Buffers control the Disadvantage: the insolubility of the phosphor salts
pH of pharmaceutical products within certain of such metals such as Ag, Zn, and Al support
specified limits for these reasons: microbial growth

a. Chemical stability B. Borate Buffer System

b. Solubility of the drug - It contains metals that would precipitate in
c. Patient’s comfort the presence of phosphate
Some factors which can produce alterations in pH - They are toxic and it is suitable in external
include: preparations, ophthalmic and nasal
solutions but is contraindicated in parentral
a. Alkali in certain inexpensive containers solutions
b. Gases present in air such as CO2 and NH3
THREE PRIMARY BORATE BUFFER SYSTEMS:
MECHANISM OF ACTION
1. Feldman’s Buffer System
- When small amounts of hydrogen ion are
introduced into the medium, they will react - pH of 7.6 – 8.2
with the conjugate base and basic members - consists of: Boric Acid, NaCl (to make it
of the buffer to form a weak acid isotonic), and Sodium Borate
- Similarly, when small amounts of hydroxide 2. Atkins and Pantin Buffer System
ion are introduced into the medium, they will
react with the weak acid or acidic member - pH of 7.6 – 11
of the buffer pair and form water and the - consists of: Sodium Carbonate, Boric Acid,
conjugate base and NaCl
3. Gifford Buffer System:
- pH of 6 – 7.6
- similar to Feldman’s Buffer System but
NaCl is replaced by KCl to make it
hypotonic